Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI demonstrate altered placental perfusion in the STOX1A preeclampsia mouse model

Abstract

IntroductionPreeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy triggered by placental dysfunction, is reproduced in the murine STOX1A model, with hypertension, proteinuria, and abnormalities in umbilical and uterine Dopplers. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is an innovative technique that provides insights into tissue perfusion. The present study aims at analyzing placental perfusion using DCE-MRI to further characterize placental defects in the STOX1A model. MethodsTwo study groups were formed: the "TgSTOX13 pregnancy group" from mating TgSTOX13 genotype males with wild-type females, and the "wild-type pregnancy group" from mating wild-type males with wild-type females. Blood pressure, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, and fetal weights were measured and compared between the groups, while perfusion parameters were analyzed using both conventional compartmental (1C) and free-time point-Hermite (FTPH) models in the DCE analysis. ResultsSeventeen pregnant mice in the "TgSTOX13 pregnancy group" and thirteen in the "wild-type pregnant group" were included in the analysis. During late gestation, the TgSTOX13 pregnancy group exhibited higher blood pressure, elevated albumin/creatinine ratio, and decreased fetal weights compared to the wild-type pregnancy group. In the DCE analysis utilizing the 1C model, blood flow (Fb) was significantly reduced by approximately 31.8 % in the TgSTOX13 pregnancy group compared to the wild-type pregnancy group (p < 0.01), a finding corroborated by the FTPH model with a reduction estimated at 31.5 % (p < 0.01). DiscussionOur investigation successfully utilized DCE MRI to assess placental perfusion in a mouse model of preeclampsia, revealing a significant reduction of approximately 30 % in the preeclamptic mice, mirroring human pathophysiology.